IAC GIRLS BASKETBALL: TIOGA 'REBUILDING' IN 2023-24 AFTER UNEXPECTED DEPARTURES (2023-12-01)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Tioga girls basketball coach Stephanie Hills knew she would be without her two leading scorers from last year, but the loss of six more players — three from the varsity, and three from last year’s division title JV team — has forced a re-boot for the program.

"Being six girls down from what we expected doesn’t really allow us to have a JV team this year," said Hills.

"When we had to make the decision, we had 10 girls who could play, and two injured," she noted. "We couldn’t justify going five on varsity and five on JV.

"Hopefully, next year we’ll be back to having a JV team," added Hills.

The Tigers, who open at home against Athens tonight, have just two players returning with any varsity experience in seniors Kaitlyn Vasey-Hunt, and Jenna Minor.

"I feel like we’re rebuilding," said Hills.

"We only have a couple returning, and we have some newbies who haven’t played since 6th-grade, so we’re still building from the bottom.

"I do see some good things, though" noted Hills. "I see some good speed with the girls coming up from the JVs, so I’m hoping we can use that to our advantage.

"The girls are shooting free throws very well in practice, so if we can drive to the bucket, finish our shots, and get to the foul line, that will help us as well," she added.

Junior Taliah Speer, and sophomores RaeAnne Feeko, Raegan Foley, Mia Hall and Emily Zwierlein are up from last year’s JV team that reached the overall IAC Small School championship game, and should see major minutes this season.

Junior Christina Earley, sophomore Lydiah Decker, sophomore newcomer Eden Cooper, and freshmen Adrienne Delmage, and Sadie Marshall will also vie for time.

Hills agrees with the obvious, that lack of experience is her biggest concern heading into the 2023-24 season.

"Our basketball knowledge isn’t really there yet because they don’t have the playing experience, and haven’t played together consistently.

"I think the more we practice, and the more game experience we gain, I think we’ll have a better team connection, and we’ll start to build on those things, but it will take a little bit of time," said Hills.

"I think every game we’ll be building on things we’ve been working on in practice, and after each game we’ll correct the things we need to.

"These girls are coachable enough, and they want to do well," added Hills. "I think that will benefit us."

Another area for concern could be scoring, but Hills believes she has a few players who will fill the scoring void.

"When it comes to my varsity returners, we don’t have much scoring back, but we do have RaeAnne Feeko, who can drive to the bucket, and Taliah Speer, who is a good shooter from the outside.

"My two freshmen need a little bit of confidence, but I think they could contribute as well," said Hills.

"Kaitlyn (Vasey-Hunt) is a senior, and she’s improved every single year," added Hills. "I think she could really help us on the inside."

THE IAC SOUTH SMALL SCHOOL DIVISION
"O-M has been an issue for us, and S-VE has been an issue for us as well," said Hills. "I think those are the two teams to watch in our division.

"Newfield improved a lot last year, and Candor is always a battle for us.

"Honestly, I don’t know where we’ll fit in this year," she added. "I’ll know a lot more after our scrimmage, and first couple of games."

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